THERE was double delight for Joyce Burrell when doctors gave her the all-clear just hours after she was told her rugby player son Luther will make his England debut against France today.

Centre Luther Burrell training with the England rugby team at their Surrey HQ [GETTY]

Joyce, 64, was diagnosed with suspected bowel cancer in November and was sent for extensive tests.

But this week, less than 48 hours after celebrating Luther’s England call-up, Joyce returned to hospital where she was told the tests had come back clear.

Northampton centre Luther, 26, will partner Gloucester’s Billy Twelvetrees in the Stade de France in Paris for England’s opening match of the Six Nations championship, which kicks off at 5pm.

Joyce and husband Geoff, of Lindley, West Yorkshire, were yesterday facing a frantic scramble to arrange their flights and find a hotel in the French capital after delaying making arrangements because of the hospital appointment.

Joyce said: “I’ve been quite ill and was undergoing lots of tests for cancer but I had an appointment with a specialist this week. It was such a relief to get the all-clear and Luther’s news has made it a real week to remember. It will be very emotional seeing him step out on to the turf if we are able to go. I think my knees will probably give way.”

Joyce Burrell with her husband Geoff and one of Luther's England shirts [MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS]

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Mother-of-two Joyce added: “I got the first call from Luther at 5.15pm on Tuesday when he rang and said, ‘I’m giving you the heads-up, mum, I may be going to France.’ He said he would ring me later that evening and at 8pm he called to say, ‘I’m getting my cap, Mum.’

“My 11-year-old granddaughter, Kaseyleigh, was here at the time and she was just jumping around with joy. She is so proud of him, as we all are.”

Luther, who is 6ft 3ins and weighs over 17st, has been edging towards his first England cap since being called up for England’s tour of Argentina last summer.

Speaking of his impending debut, he said: “I’m over the moon. I can’t believe it has finally come true. It’s something I have been working towards for a very long time.”

England’s attack coach Mike Catt has no doubt that Luther is ready to take on the French.

“He has come through one hell of a lot over the past 10 to 15 years of his life to get this opportunity,” he said. “It’s a massive step forward for him as a player and person. He will deliver.”